Auto top



Oct. 4, 1927. F' v MILLER ET AL AUTO TOP Filed June 11, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO NY.

F. V. MILLER ET AL ATTo EY.'

1923 5 Sheets-S-heet 4 I .siii

Oct. 4, 1927.

F. V. MILLER ET AL AUT'o TOP Filed June 11,

Fil..-

| l I l I l l I l I I llL.||||.||||l||||..|||l|| l l 1644,025 Oct' 4 1927' F. v. MILLER ET AL AUTO TOP Filed June 1l. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1%. 24. zal 3f of d v BY l inentel ypere'p ective view,

elly rolled apart, showing `s1-ub'-Y Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

FREDERICK v. MILLER :Anp FRAN-1;

sIGNoRs -I'o REX MANUFAcTUnINe coMrAIIY, or

y'CORPOR-AlIO-N OF INDIANA.

ppiietin fired Iun'e 11,

lt ie the object of duce Xpensively en effective and sightly closed 'top end Sidecnrtein 'construction 'for the open-body type of'a'ntornohileshvvhich een ne iis'ed'eic'ie'ntly ivith glass Windows thronghoiit;Whetherthey are fixed or Inova'hle. 'Speakingfgenerall1it is our object an eiiective lint relzitivelyinexpeny side-curtain 'construces the basis if fdesired top; so that the 'may be obtained so-ineke sive ltvint'er top end tion, Sv'ith L cape t'op thoiigl'Iv-ive prefer i Special ente'ges off a 'clo Sed V`hody with iiope'n body.

The accompanying ldreivin invention 'in sevel forms: Fig. 1 is a per tileide elevation, irofrnthe inside, of 'autouring cer equipped with eide curtains oi' our horizontal section enh- 2-2 ot Fig. 1,;

gs illustrate our inven vion; Fig. 2' is` stentially on the line ie it 4partia l perspec'tive of the cer shown 'In Fig. 1, with the doors closed, vview ved ololiquel57 from the iront; Fig. i isnperepective view ci, the saine car; .with the l doors open, viewed ohliduely from the regir; Fig. is en enlarged r'ag'niental vertical section substantiel-lv on the line 5)5 of 1; 6 is en .enlarged frgrnental perspective view ofi-thelintel anclits edjn'eting joint; with its izxhric for joining with the top; Fig. 7 is an enlarged rag'rnentel horiizontal Section Sulcetantiallyv on the line Tf-7 of i lWiththe door closed; 8 is en e'nlrged ragrnentel vertical section on Fig. 9 is perspective view ol" the 'Wooden freine used -in the ciirtein Seetions over the doors Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. V1'() leen en-v larged 'ragniental vertical Section enlostantielly on the line 10%10 fof Fig. V1; Fig.A 1 1 is an enlarged fragment-el horizontal eection snhstentilly on kthe line 11-11 of Fig. 1; Fig. 1Q is a ragnientl horizontall sectional view onthe leveloi'v the Windshield tIjIi-Iinion onthe iront right-hand cornerl of the car slioivn inFig. 1 Fig. 13 is iin enlarged fraginental horizontel Section Somewhat Similar' to the right-hnd end of Fig. 7, but showing e yslightly modified c Onstruction; Fig. 14 is another ragrnental v horizontril sec'- tion Sonieivvhat, similar to Fig. 7, showing e further modification, partieulfirly of the glass-holding ineens; Fig. 15 is t ragf withthe severgrl leg/ere limiti our invention to pro-v modified construction;

PATENT' 'OSF-FIC? f n.. CRAWFORD, or corINEItsvILLE, INDIANA. As!

coNNnRsvILLE, INDIANA, A

1323.v eerierNo, 544,536.

stentallythe same thing as 'the left-friend part of theiu'll lineef'o'Fi'g. 7; but with' v fabric covering for the channel edge-binding; Fig.l y16y is fin e' la'rg'ed hor'i zr'itfil se'c-V tion substantially on a line corresponding-to the 'line16-1'6 of Fig.' 3;, "but SliCWi'ig a Fig. 17 is a vertcl perspective view on e 'Somewhat 'smellercal ofithe pertesliowvn 'in' the Alower le'ft'hend corner of Fig. 16; Fig. 18is aLplanfo' 'a' soinetvhet ySmaller Y'scale lof the parts fshovvn in the loiver left-hand cornerof Fig: v16,l but indiczitingfthe essocitilin 'of thes'ide-'curthin striicture With a different windehield mount'- ing; Fig. -19 is a i tion correeponding toitherighbhand'hlfo Airse Wherethere isv only Figfal is' View another modiifregi'nental,I prt' V125 but h'rolcen mvay'oi Special top which We plie- 'er to `cree'iirpl'ace of the vordinary 'cape top shown the earlier vi'ieivs Figs., 'Q5-fand "26 are Sectons on the lines 25;42'5 Lfind 264-126 oi 211; 27 iS. an enlarge'rzr'ieritofthe right-hend'nrt 'of Fig. 25; with the cover# ing inplece :end ehmv'n in detail; F ig`.' ,28 e vertical section ofA Side curtain @preferably rn'adefto coeo'pferete doo'rsectionpf 'the iirfscton in igedwith part of tHe whichwe prefer and which forms Vlintel 40 is quite rigid part of our invention and be anything desired; the front bow when the cape top is raised being suitably attached, as by'clamps 3l, to the upper ends of the uprights of the windshield Beside the doors 27, there are suitable fixed sections 34 of 'the sides of the car-body, to some of which fixed sections 34 the doors 27 are hinged. In the car'shown, the forward edges of the doors s are the hinged edges.

vWe have shown the application of our side curtains first in connection with such 'a cape top as is ordinarily used, and later in c0nnection with a special non-collapsible top part of our invention. v

, Preferably over each door 27, and also over each rear side section 34, we provide a glass-carrying side-curtain, which is formed of two layers of fabric with a suit` able interposed frame of stiffer material. The fabric of the side-curtain sections over each door is extended past the line of the hinge-joint 35 of such door, the fabric itself forming the hinge-joints of the side curtain t sections. The stiffer material, however, does not-extend past the hinge joints. The detail construction of the side-curtains may take various forms, which will be described later. For Vforming a lintel for the upper edges of the side-curtain sections on each side to bear against, ,when the cape top is retained, we provide alongitudinally extending strip 40, which at its front end is provided with a hole through which the truiinion 41,0fv

the upper windshield section 33 projects and is clamped by the regular nut of such trunnion, (see Fig. 12,) and`which at its rear end is fastened by a screw or rivet 42 to the side arm of one of the bows 29. If this lintel 40 is too long to be supported wholly by these end supports, it may also be attached to the longitudinal side members 30 of the canopy-frame, as by one or more strips 43 attached by screws or rivets 44 to the lintel 40 and to the side members 30, as is indicated in Fig. 5. These strips 43 are steadying strips, lrather than supporting strips, for the i in the form in which we have made it. This form contemplates a lintel of sheet-metal, which is folded longitudinally to form a double thickness, with the two thicknesses bent at right angles near the folded edge so that the whole forms a substantially L-shaped structure (Fig. 10) and it preferably has the raw edges of the metal turned in between the two thicknesses to make smooth exposed edges instead. The stem of this L-'shaped structure is vertical, and forms the lintel against which the edges ofthe side-curtain sections abut; and the foot of the L at the folded edge projects inward away from the side-curtain section and serves to stiften the lintel.

This lintel 40 extends directly from the top edge of the windshield upright 32 to the proper bow 29, general lying substantially directly over and conforming to the shape of thetop line of the side of the car body; is now generally substantially straight, this lintel is also usually substantially straight.

As a result, the lintel 40- does not follow the Fig. 6, with t-he two parts separable forv shipping and clamped together by a clamping bolt 45, which passes through holes in such overlapping sections, at least one of these holes being elongated to constitute a slot permitting the adjustment. Y

To close the space between the top of the lintel 40 and we clamp betweenl the t e sheet-metal of suc-h lintel one edge of a strip of fabric 46, which fabric extends outward from the upper edge of the lintel,as is shown in Figs. 5 and l-O, then beneath the longitudinal side-members 30 of the canopyframe, and then upward just beneath the covering fabricY of the cape top 28 between such covering fabric and the usual shaping pad 47 which lies vwithin the curved part of such top fabric to form the rounded part conforming to the curve of the bow.A The upper edge of the stripy of fabric 46 preferably extends slightly beyond the upper edge of the pad 47, as is clear from Fig. 5; and though ordinarily the friction of this fabric between the top fabric and the pad 47 is Suthcient t-o hold the strip in place,- ensure that the strip 46 will not be pulled out by providin its upper vedge with a casing 48 through which extends a cord 49 whichmay be attached tothe front and rear bows 29 of the canopy frame.

As we have already stated, the detail structure of the side-curtain construction may take two thicknesses of various forms. In the construction shown in igs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, there are rabbeted wooden strips 50 arranged around the four edges of the glass V51, with the glass-edges seated in the rabbet. If there is only one thickness of glass, as is shown over the rear door 27 and over the rear fixed side-section 34, such glass may be held rigidly in place by a suitableclamping strip 52 which is also seated in the rabbet and is held in place by tacks 53; this clamping strip is preferably covered with a strip of fabric. If there are overlapping glass sections, as when one section is mounted to slide horizontally over the other, as shown over the front door in Fig. l, two opposite strips of the clamping strips 52, such as the upper and lower ones, may be replaced (see Fig. l0) by sheet-metal channels 54, which the cape top, when that'is used,

as such top line l Si I we prefer to lower edges v mounted are also tackedto the wooden strips yory otherwise suitably held thereto. The sliding section v51Y of they glasshas its upper and Y in the ciianiiels'5ll, which thus not only serve as channels for the slidingsection lof glass but also as clampin g Vineinb ers glass.l lheii there is a, sliding section of glass, it may be provided at one edge with a suitable handle `55, by which it may be slid alon the channels 54; To prevent' rattuling of t,ie sliding section, we prefer to line the .channels'5l with 'a fabric strip 56, of feltor other soft material, so that the glass will be held firnily without rattling while still beingpermitted t'oslide 'Y The wooden strips 50, when they are used, may if desired form a complete frame', as is showiiin Fig. 9; and the upperv 'and lower strips .n'iay be extended yhorizontally beyond oneof the vertical sti'ips-tlieoiie nearest the free edge of the door when the fraine is over a doorFto foi'in upward and lower fingers 57 which stiffeii the free edg ofthe door-curtain, where such curtainoverlaps an edge of an adjacent curtain section over a 'fixed body-section 34, as is clear froni Figs.7and9 .7. n

lit any strip' 50`is substantially at the edge of the curtain-section, asy we prefer to have it along vthe top edgeofthe curtain-section as .isfsliov-:n in it), it ii'iay itself constitute the stiffener for such edge; as appears from Fig. 10. However, if the stiip'O is removed 'from tlieedge ofthe curtain section.v as we usuallyvfind it convenient to have it atboth sideedges and at'the bottoni edge, we provide additional stiffeners. In .thestriictiirefsliown in Figs. 7, E5,k and 13, these stiffeners inay vbe forined' of strips '6D and 61 .of

soine artificial hoard structure, such .as jute board or rag board, which strips'60andl61 overlap the outer and inner .faces ofj the wooden strips 50 and extend therefrom to thete'dge of the .Curtain section, either laterally 21S shown in Fig. i shown in Fig. 8.

Where la stiener strip v60 overlapsA a wooden strip 50, it may extend completely over the face of such strip, asis shownlin Fig. 13,-or it-niay be set in a suitable rabbet in .the face of such wooden strip `so that its surface is flush with such surface, as is shown in Figs. A7 and 8. Therstrips60 and .or fdownward as 6l need not be continuous around the v.v-trioris .edges where `they ,are ,used `in the curtain section, though we. prefer to have .there SO.-

y,'Ihestif ener strips '60 and '.61 at their edges reinote from the wooden stripsO come close together, Vas is clear from Figs. 7 and 8; and areheld together'by a metal channel 621into which tlieedges 'of such strips arereceived. 'Phe instal of this channel 62 may be ex posed as shown in `Figs. 7 and 8, or the for the otlieror fixed section of channelA may-'be covered ywith suitable .fabric` 63 to conform to the rest ofthecurtainsection and leave no exposed metal-parts, asis' shown in Fig. 115. i V

' Between the iifooden `strip l5() and the channel (Sii, the stiifener strips-60 and 6l may `take various forms, as desired. 'XVlien 'such 'stiffener strips project 'toward the free vertical kedge of thekcurtain-section, they follow the shape ofthe fingers 57, as is clear from Eig. 7. vWhen they project downward, however, the strip =6l may be bent around the edge face of the'wooden strip 50 to forma shout der which fitsupon the upper edge of the door 27' ror'side section 34, as is clear from Fig. V8, inwhi'cli case kthe two strips (S6-and' l'project downward in substantially parel-k` for the entirev outer' coveringof a curtainsection. Such layer of covering fabric is cut first so that itis slightlylarg'er ,than'lt'h-ey entire 'curtain-section, with a hole 'in -it slightly smaller than the'v exposed surface-.of

the glass'. kThe layer of -fabric is putl over the.v stiffening strips 60 and 61 and wooden strips 50,V before-the glass 51 or channels 554 are in place. At the window opening, vthe edges of the fabric arerturned inward kvtoilie in kthe glass-receiving rabbet of the strip 50, sothat the two'lfabrifc coverfstrips overlap in vsuch rabbet, as is shown in 'Figs-'7, 8. 10, and 13. VThen the glass 51 is put in place, with Aits clamping-strips 52, andwith the channels`54 kif they are used.l Thisfirrnly binds the edges of'the covering rhaterial within thewindow opening. 1

rtthe opposite edges of the stifening strips 60 and 61,y one cover layer 64 has its edge folded j around the edge of the adjacent stiffening strip, say *61, and received between the edge portions of lthe two stiffening strips 60 and 6l: while the other coveringflay-er 64 has its edgefolded aroundthe edges of both such stiffening strips (60 and 61, and around the folded part of the first cover layer 64, this whole composite :edge

structure tlienbeing received and clamped tightly :bythe channel 62. 'The 4tivo cover layersi -will usually have different faces exposed, as to -in'ake the inside surface 'light and theoutsidesurlface dark. Q Slight modifications 'of this ledge-'binding iis arrangement are shown in Figs. 22 and 23. Here only one stiffening strip 60a' is shown, as shown being made of three-ply veneering. The two fabric layers 64 and the padding 65 are unchanged, and lie snugly against the faces of the stiffening strip 60a. One layer of fabric is shown as coming only about to the edge of the stiifening strip, there being held down by a. tack 68. The edge of the other layer of fabric is shown as folded around the edge of the stiffening strip 60L and over a re-inforcing channel 62a or 62h, and inward along' one inside face of such resinforcing channel. The re-inforcing channel 62L (Fig. 22) embraces the stiffening strip 60a, as well as the free edges .of both fabric layers 64; and is put in place by having one leg fastened to the stiffening strip 60a by tacks 69, after which the other leg is bent from the dotted-line position to the full-line position of Fig. 22 to cover the tacks 68 and the raw edges of the fabric 64 and to clamp the edges of the fabric firmly in `place after whichtlie channel may be fastened by tacks 68 or the inherent stiffness of the material of the channel member may be relied on to hold it in place. The re-inforcing channel 62b (Fig. 23) does not embrace the stiffening strip 60a, but only the free edges of both fabric layers 64, and lies wholly on one side of the re-inforcing strip; and it is put in place by having one leg fastened to the stifli'ening strip 60a by the' same tacks 68 which hold down the edge of one fabric layer 64, after which the other leg is bent down from the position shown in Fig. 3 to lie tightly against the other leg to cover the tacks 68 and the raw edges of the fabric 64 and to clamp the edges of the fabric firmly in place.

Where the wooden ystrip 50 is directly at the edge ofthe curtain-section, as is shown in Fig. 10, one of the cover layers, say that on the outside, is folded tight around such wooden strip from the glass-receiving rabbet over the outer surface of the strip and then over the strip-edge and then inward along the inner lsurface of the strip; but to get the proper color on the inner face of the completed curtain-section, the cover layer on the inside is merely folded on itself to overlie the inner face of such wooden strip 50; as is clear from Fig. 10. Since the 'strip 64 on the inside abuts against the lintel 40 at the top of the curtain-section, I preferably provide a padding 65 between the two layers of such fabric where it is folded over on itself, as is clear from Fig. 10, to provide an anti-rattling cushion to abut against the lintel.

To permit this folding of the fabric 64 in these various places, it may be suitably slashed, especially at the various corners, as is Well understood in the fitting of fabric. Similar layers of padding 66 may be provided beneath they fabric 64 wherever desired, especially beneath that which covers the outer surface, to provide a smooth unwrinkled surface. `Such padding 66 may extend from one edge of the glass-receiving rabbet over the face of the wooden strip 50 and stilfening strip 60 into the'channel 62y and preferably extends completely aroundl the upper edge of the topmost wooden strip 50, as is indicated by the heavy black lines in Figs. 7, 8, 10, 13, and 15. l Y

The side-curtain sections are rigidly held at the lower edges by the screws 67, by which they are attached to the-doors 27 or fixed side sections 34 of the body. The cur.- tain-sections over the doors 27 are supported at the side edges, preferably close to the edges of the glass, by the usual rods 70,` which are removably carried by the ydoors and move therewith and project upward from such doors and are received in suitable pockets 7l provided by folds of the fabric, preferably overlying the vertical wooden strips 50 and attached thereto so that the support for the glass will be relaw tively rigid. The curtain-sections over the fixed side-sections 34 of the body are also supported at the lower part by screws `67 and at the upper parts by being attached to the lintel 40 by suitable screws or other fasteners; and the curtain section over the rear side-section 34 may also be attached by suitable fasteners to the adjacent bows 29 of the top. by any convenient fasteners.

The front edge of the front curtain-section preferably overlies the wind-shield upright 32, and is folded around its forward surface; it may be simply attached thereto by suitable fasteners 73, which are preferably of some suitable quick-releasable type.l

The two fabric layers 64 where they overlie the windshield upright 32 are suitably stitched together, with the raw edge of one received in the hem of the other, as is clear from Fig. 1l.

The fixed side-section 34 between the two doors 27 is usually so narrow that only al single vertical stiffening strip 74 is necessary, as is clear from Fig. 2, and over this stiffening strip the fabric layers 64 may be folded substantially as they are over the top wooden strip 50 shown in Fig. 10. The stiffening strip 74 is fastened at the bottom byone or more lscrews 67 to the side section 34, and suitably fastened at the top to the lintel 40. The fabric 64 ofthe curtain sections over the doors 27 extends past the hinge-line of such doors to the curtain-section over the fixed side-section 34 to whichI` such door is hinged, and passes around either the stiffening strip 74 or overlaps the windshield upright' 32, as isclear from Fig. 2. The hinge line 35 is crossed by the fabric, which bends to form the hinging, but no stiffeners such as the lingers 57 or the stiH- ved soinetiinesdesirable. to use.

ening strips and G1 extend across such hinge-line.

Our invention is subjectl to considerable modification. V? e show one modification in Fig 14:., in regard Vto "the mounting ot" the glass. In tliie structure shown in Fig. 141, there are the saine stiti'eningl strips 69 and 61 thesanie fabric ceverings 64, andthe vsanne* edge-hinding channel 62 arranged to bind. the edges ci the fabric 645' over the edgesot the` stitllenng stri-ps 60' and 61 as already erplained. In place ot mounting the vedge ofthe glass 51' inwooden strips 5.0, we may use a sheetanetal' glass-support f torined v of two opposed which bear against each other at their'. edges reniotel from the glass 51, andwhichy sheet-metal plates at their edges overlapping: the glass 51 are provided with grocved portions 76 facing each other andthe glass 51. and vcarrying suitable padding,- 77, such as rubbertubing, which hears against the glass 51. The two plates T5 are clainped together by clamping screws 27.8. This forni of Ygl'ass-suppcrt Th-T-TES isv not new, per se, butit is wellN adapted "ier use in our invention; i The stifening strips 6() and 61 at their inner ges are received in the exterior. angles of the pl'atesT where the bodies ot such plates join `the grooves 76,.'an'd may be fastened to such platesby rivets T9.' rThus inthe structure shown in Fig. 14, as well as in that already described, the two stiti'e'ning strips (Si) and 61 liar-e apart as they approach the glass,y to receive a glass-carrying member between tl-iernrbut corne together at their onter edges to be received inthe channel 62.

`When the glass-clamping ineinber ot' Fig. 1st is used, the fabric 6st around the;l rooved portions T6', andY folded in suchgrocves between the inner surfaces.

thereotl andthe rubber 'tubing With this arrangement. of. parts, the iabric` 64 does not liev tight. against' the stitiener stripsY 60 and.. 61, especially near the glass; but this isnotvisible troni the exterior. It desi-red, suitable padding 8O between the sti'if'ener strips 60 and the outer. covering ofiabric 6.4 inay be used, asfillustrated tor-one. fabric Viththe constructions@ far shown, itis sheet-metal 'reirrtorcing stripsfespecially at vvthe lower vor supporting portionwooden strip., 5'0.' by screws -In this case,'the strip nray befolded Y v a suitable filler strip 8.8, conveniently made feshow4 such. a sheetv metal reinforcing stripl 81` in Fig.- 8, wherel it extends down troni the .woodenstrip 5.0l

.This refin-orcing It desired, instead of the two reinforcingstrips l60 and 61 of jute, board or similar iieXible material, with or 'without asheetinetal' reinforcing strip 81 we inay 'use a single strip 83 as shown in- Figs; 16, 19', 20, and' 21'. .In this case, of sheet-metal, rather than ot juteJbOa-rd or similar material, and locate'it beneath'the outer Vlayer of covering fabric 64, preferably f'ith interposed padding (i6. This stienward from any or all edges` ofthe 51.

strip V83 may be associated (Fig. 21) with a wooden strip 50, in much the saine inanner as the structure showin in' Figs'. '17', @and 13,; in which case,l for` the sake of appeal'- ane'e, we prefer to.- make the strip 5()v in, the nature of' al quarter-round to avoid 'any sharp corner where the innerv fabric-layer 64 joins it, thong-h thisis a mere matter' of preference` and not essential. f InsteadV ofco-operating with a' rahbeted foodenstrip 50, as in Fig. 21, 'thejstienng reinforcing strip 83 may' extend inward to the overlapping edge of such stiffening' reinforcing stripin the form ,ota'Y halfiro'un'd channelf8l, around" and within which the we showv the stripf83 y ing-reinforcing strip' 83 inay project Vont- :overlap'the glass 5,1, 'as is shown in 'Figs'. 16, 19, and Q0, in which case we preferl to make inneredge of the c0veringfab1ic 64. isY laid.

at the edge by a narrow metaltstrip Z85, at-

'The other face of the glass may be'vv gripped i screws and' sockets 86,. shown' in'Fig 20,. or

the screwsl and nuts, 87' shown inA Fig: 19. may be separated from' the sti'lening reinforcing 'strip'. 83'by oa strip ot rag board; y

Insteady of theV fiat strip 85,. with theihller strip 88, we may provide a' Zshaped' strip 89, asshown inl Fig. 19,'Whichhy reasonof itsbends! bears directly against the stihleningY reinforcing strip 83 without any'filler off rubber or other padding 90 l aroun'dl` the glassat the edge to prevent rattling.

Where there are twolayers. of glass 51, ,we

can. readily' prov-ide sliding channels ltherefor, asinthe arrangenients.shownu in Figs. 16! andV 19. Fig. 1'9, there is a second Z-shapiedmember 91, corresponding in generalto tlre'Z-sh'aped' 4rneinber. 89* but with a' greater` offsettingbe-v 'tween'its two: edges; Near'one edgethisse'c In theg'arrangernent shown' ondA Z-sha'pedY member' 91. bearsdirectly against oneffiange ofv the Z-sh'aped member 89, and with. the latter is clamped tethe stiieningreanforcing strip 83 bythe screws and nuts V87 whereas' the other iange of such' y member 91 co-operates with the corresponding flange of the Z-sha`ped member 89 to provide between them a channel for asecond layer of glassl; either `of the layer-sof glass being slidable. VJ e prefer to provide suitable padding 90 for the edges of the sec ond layer of glass also.

` Instead of the two Z-shaped members 89 and 90, we may provide a single channel `member 92, which receives between its legs the edge of the second layer of glass 51, as is'clear from Fig. 16; with a suitable filler strip 93 Within such channel at its bottom, and with a second filler strip 94 separating the channel as a whole from the stiffening reinforcing strip 83, to form the space for the first lay-er of glass. That is, the channel 92 is substituted for the flat strip 85 of Fig. 20 when there is aV secondl layer of glass. The channel 92, filler strips 93 and 94, and Vstiffefning reinforcing' strip 83 are all attached together by suitable attaching means, such as screws and sockets 86.

Vhen the stiffeningand reinforcing strip 83 of metal is used, we may vdispense with the channel62 at the edge, and may provide a binder construction whichis adaptable for use either at an edge or at an intermediate point, as for instance on the two sides of. a hinge line as is indicated in Fig. '16j Thus at the edge of the sheet-metal s tiifening and reinforcing strip 83ffrom'the channel 84 we bend the sheet-metal into an open'rib 95, forming'nearly but` not quite av complete circle. Into this open rib we force folds or an edge of the fabric 64, preferably by means of a wire 96 which is sprung into such open rib and which is preferably enfolded in at least one of the folds of the fabric. The folds of the fabric may be at an intermediate point in the width of the fabric, las indicated in Fig. 16 just to the right of the hinge line 35,'both layers of fabric 64 from the curtain-section over the door passing into such open rib 95, and at least one of them passing around the wire 96, andthen both layers of fabric coming back out of the open rib and extending past the hinge line 35 to some suitable fastening means on the other side of such hinge line.

4Such lfastening means may be formed by another strip of sheet-metal 97, .with open ribs l at each end, and with a wire 96 in each such rib; and one or both layers of the fabric -64 may be placed either at intermediate points or at edges thereof in either or both 'of-such open ribs 95, as indicated at thfeleft-hand end of Fig. 16. The sheet- Vmetal Vstrip 97 maytale various forms, as for instance to fit around the corner of the windshield upright 32; and may conform in lgeneral to suchv windshieldupright, as with` the smooth-curved bend of Fig. 16 or the almost right-angle bend of Fig. 18. Preferably a layer of padding 93 is placed between the sheet-metal strip 97 and the outer' layer' of fabric 64, to give smoothness and softness of surface, but this is not essential. The Y fabric is firmly held in the various ribs 95, three of which are shown in Fig. 16, by the l clamping action of such open ribs andtheir co-operating wires 96, and when once in place are not easilyv withdrawn. To make this clamping more secure, the open r1bs'95 may be crimped more tightly after the wires 96 and layers of fabric are in place therein.

Hhe sideecurtain construction so'far described has been designed with a view-to capability of use with the ordinary cape top vor canopy top, as well as with our special provide a special top. It is becoming moreT and more customary not to collapse a top, even when the tops are collapsible; so that it is perfectly feasible with most cars to have a non-collapsible top. Weshow such a top in Figs. 24, 25, 26, and 27, and canV use therewith any of the side-curtain constructions so far described; but in. Fig. 28 we show the construction which we consider as the preferred structure when the special top of Figs. 24 to 27 is used. l

In this special top', there is a 'rear obliquely set bow 101, as is clear from Fig. 24. We preferably fasten this permanently to the rear fixed side section 34 of the car body, as by suitable fittings 102. Extending forward from this obliquely set rear bow 101 are two side members 103 which constitute thev lower bar of the top structure and are not collapsible. These side members 103 maybe interconnected at any desired number of intermediate points, by short-legged bows 104, of any suitable shape to give the desired shape to the top, usually with rounded corners. Longitudinally extending slats 105 are mounted on these bows 101 and 104, and extend from front to rear of the top; but theyv do not necessarily do so over the entire length of the bows, but only over the corners which the bows form, to-'provide fork keeping the fabric of the top with smooth curves. squeaking a layer of fabric 106 is placed beneath the slats 105, between them and the bows 101 and 104, as is clear from Figs. 25 and 27. Another layer of fabric 106 may be placed overthe outside of the slats 105, throughout their length, as is clear from Fig. 24, and over this outer fabric layer 106 on the outside of such slats may be stretched the fabric or leather 107 which is to form the outer surface of the top. Preferably, especially over the slats 105, a layer of padding 108 is interposed beneath the outer layer 107 of fabric, to make asmooth 'soft curved surface, without Wrinkles.

Preferably, in order to avoidk ico l the 'cari body the frain'e'111 s, described. Usually there will be two layers vsuitable stilfeningmembers 112,fconvenient lyr "of triangular 'sha-pe andi located one at each corner of the trai-he, to." the backA 113 of andy to 'the topy part 'of' the lThe back 'off the topi -rn'aybe rear bow 10,1.

set 'aroundf the closed by a' "suitable fabric, rear from "one lefgof the bowv other, withY a' suitable 'open-:ifnQ-gfr the Win- "dowv l11),a'fnd Witlithe 'fab c arranged at inany of the Ways already of fabric, one on the inside and one on the 'outs-ide, Ywith the window-frame 111 located between sue-h two layers' in a manner which isl evident from For open driving, there need be nothing -lcetween the rear` bow 101 'and the windshield EThis niay rights,- 'tween the'fro'nt rear vdoors 27.

' the vswinging 33. =For winter driving, or closed-car drivi'irg, side curtains will be. rnounted in the open spaces at the sides, to 'close such spaces. inchid-e one or more fixed up rich asthe upright 115 shown be- .Across section offsiichan upright is shownv in Fig.

, 26,anda perspective of' its upperkend in Figi; 29. Ass-thuis shown, for illustration,

this upright hasftwo, wooden vstrips 116 and 117, the strip 116 being toward the outsideV and being narrower. than the. strip. 117I so thatthe vlatter will provide a shoulder for side cur-tain over the door27 in front 'thereof to abutA against. Ai strip of fabric 1181is wrapped around the wooden strip-'116, with its vedges fastened by tacks '119 to such' strip. where such edges pro-ject "between the two. strips. This fabric lstr-"ip 118 has the surface exposed which corresponds to t-heou'ter surfaceof-thefabric 'of the cover and side curtains. Similar strips of fabric 1201 and 120i overlie the edges, of the. strip 117, and are tacked thereto :by tacks 121;;V and these strips have the sur-face ei;` posed-.which corresponds to the surface of the inside of the cover and side c urt'ains. `Wl'iile the tiro fabric strips 1`2H0-fand120EL may be continuous, -weprefer to. ina-ke them separate, with one edge of the fabric strip 120 laid over the face of the Wooden strip 117 and around a thin strip 122 of leather or board or similar substance. The two wooden strips 116 and 117 are attached together by screws 123 near their ends. A layer of padding 66 may lie beneath the-,fabric 118. An upwardly projecting anchor plate 124 0f sheet metal is preferably attached to the upper end of this upright, to furnish means for atta-ching it to the longitudinal 103; which anchor plate may if desired be covered with the fabric 120, though the fabric is broken away in Fig. 29 to show the anchor 101 to the `After crossing such hinge joints;V

the Vstructure already eX-V =plain`ed for the vside'curtai-n.y

plate bett-er. The iower enjd vofthe upright overlaps a fixed'y section'34 of the car body and is attached thereto by screws 67.

Extending from the upright 115. are two described, which layers constitute the inner and outer- 'surface-,tayers o the sidelcurtain section.. The edges'o" the fabric vlayers .64 are attached inpla'c'e by the tacks 119 and 121, so that the raw edges ofsuch fabricsare f 'concealed/between the covered woodensrifpfs 116. and 117. These two' layers of fabrie pro-ject for a dis-tance freni the upright 115 lwithoutany stiffeners interposed, to.` prot-ide the hinge ljaints Y ther? may be -la-idf over any of the frame-constructions which` have y alreadyJbee-n described.y ,7,1

/Vith 'the top vcon-struc-tion shown-in- 24 to 27 inclusive, however, weprefer,that'A these fabric layers 64 extend 'on to. the .glass- `carrying: frame-construction shown infEig. 28; Here there Yis a `stitfener formed preferably `of a single .piecel'of woodveneeringfj, shown as thrcefply veneeringytjhe. eilt-side of which Aconfmisns in shape to, the desired .Side curtain section lwhich is' carried vby 'the door 27. This veneering 126'hasr an openingout in it for the. window, which opening is receives, so vthatv it will form Ial shoulderyor auch glass to rest in.V Foiir strips 127' of wood or leather`= are fixed tout-he side oi the veneering 126. around the window Opening,

at a suitable distance the'refroln'to', permit l the glass 51 to be received withrrsuclr strips 127. y The two fabricxlayeis 64 817 laid around' the strips 127 and the edges. fQlllQd bythe window opening Vin the venelg r12),

`to: overlapA onthe innerfaees of Suelastijip 127 between therngand the edge of the .gl-ass 51, as is clear frQm .Fig 2.8., and. then thi@ yglass 51- is set inplaee over the egrposed fabric.; Layer '6.4. The. glass may `ce heldin placeby tacked-0,11 Strips 129, taeketo. ,the inner faces of thefstiiips127; amd-*t-hgesey strips 129., which. are: preferably of `leather, are covered with fabric with the desired Surface exposed..

o The fabric-V Layer-64 at. 'the enfer: edges: "et the veneerngflQ. is held bytacksJ 130,

projecting through the folded-over edge of one Vof such fabric layers 64, which foldedover edge is of the ylayer which extends around the edge of the veneering 126 and overlies the raw edge of the other fabric layer. If desired, this folded-over edge of the fabric may enclose nothing within 1t, as

is indicated at the bottoni of Fig.v 28; but at the top of this side-curtain section, We preferably provide thatk a soft strip 131, as of leather, will be enclosed in this folded-over part, with the tacks concealed asshown, to

provide a resilient bumper for bearingy against the lintel of the door. The same 35 already referred so;

slightly smaller' than the glass; 51 Whichiit layers of fabric 6.4, such as already have. been T0 projects downward beyond the lower face thereof to provide a water-drip offset around which the fabric -107 extends, as is clear --may strike.

construction maybe provided, andv preferably is. provided, at the yfree vertical edge of the side-curtain section over the door,

ywhere such edge abnts against the shoulder formed by the projection of the wooden strip.

The lintel ofthe ydoor may be provided by the structure shown in detail in Fig. 6, and 'already described. With the permanent and 4special top construction shown in Figs. @el to '27 inclusive, however, we prefer to provide a. clamping and bracing lintel as shown in Fig. 27. l-Iere there is a folded sheet-metal strip 135, having a horizontal flange attached to the under face of the longitudinal bar 103 by screws 136, and a vertical flange which projects upward along the inside face of such longitudinal bar 103 and is preferably attached thereto by screws 13621. Between these ltwo flanges,l this lintel has two'downwardly projectiiig parallel folds, v lgainst one of. which the buffer strip 131 These two folds form between' them a narrow slit 133 which receives and firmly clamps the .lower edge of the inner lstrip 137 of fabric which lies within and conceals the wooden frame-work of the special top. This inner layer of fabric 137 overlies the vertical flange of the lintel 135, and its lower edge is folded over and proN jects upward into such slit 133.

V- The lintel 135 furnishes a convenient means, also, for concealing the lower edge of 4the outer layer of fabric 107, and the tacks which hold it. For this, such edge is preferably laid beneath the horizontal flange of such lintel. Preferably, this outer layer of 4fabric 107 extends around the lower end of a metal drip strip 139 which is attached vto the outer vface of the longitudinal 103 and from Fig. 27. The fabric 107 is held tight around the drip strip by the horizontal flange of the lintel strip 135.

The-top construction shown in F igs, 24 to 27, in lcombination withthe side curtains, furnishes a substantial closed top, which may be used with open cars yto malte therefrom the substantial equivalent of a closed car. This top structure, however, is relatively cheap,in comparison either with the regular closed body, or in comparison with the so-called California top. vIt may be madein any trimming factory, without any great equipment. The side-curtain sections,

for receiving the edge of the glass of awindow, two stiffening strips cooperating with said glass-engaging structure and projecting therefrom oppositely `from the glass, the outer edges of said stiening strips being in .proximity` fabric overlying said glass-engaging structure and said stiifeniiig strips, one layer of said fabric being folded around the edge of onlyone stiffening strip and the other layer of fabric being folded around the edges of both stiffening strips, a metal channel extend-ing around the outer edge of the stiifening strips and fabric folded around such edges and 'binding them together, substantially as set forth.

2.k In an automobile side curtain, the combination of a glass-engaging part, one or more stiifening strips attached to said glassengaging part and projecting therefrom op` positely from the glass and overlying a body part, fabric material covering said glass-engaging part and stiifening strips on both sides, fabric material between said strips and means passing through said sti'ening strips into the body part for attaching them and the side curtain in'place on the vbody part, substantially as set forth.-

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Connersville, Indiana, this 8th day of June, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three. Y

FREDERICK V. MILLER. FRANK M, CRAWFORD, 

